Chapter 109: Conflict and Confrontation

Chapter 109: Clash and Confrontation

At this moment.

As time passed, the protest on Shanning Street grew increasingly intense. Among the crowd, underground party members of Shanning—Guo Xiaofei, Zhou Shan, and Sister Wang—frowned deeply.

Because the situation was clearly deteriorating. Just as the note had warned, the authorities were about to launch a major operation.

Zhou Shan and the others not only spotted numerous plainclothes agents and police embedded within the crowd but also noticed soldiers stationed at many street corners. Some had even set up machine guns and defensive positions.

“It seems things are truly as that note said. The Nationalist authorities are about to take decisive action. If this isn’t handled carefully, the outcome will be something we don’t want to see,” Zhou Shan said anxiously as they huddled together.

“At this point, stopping it is impossible. We can only try to minimize casualties. Old Zhou, you know the parade route well—where do the students from those schools gather in the end?” Guo Xiaofei asked, glancing at the fervent students.

“At the intersection in front of the Shanning City Government building,” Zhou Shan replied.

“Sigh, I’m afraid the authorities have already set up an ambush there, just waiting for the students to arrive. Hopefully, today will go smoothly,” Guo Xiaofei sighed helplessly.

“By the way, Old Zhou, did you warn those progressive students not to provoke the authorities if things go wrong? Otherwise, the ones who suffer will be us,” Sister Wang asked with concern.

“Of course, I warned them. But I fear these young students, caught up in their passion, might recklessly charge ahead,” Zhou Shan said, worry etched on his face.

Sighing, the group slipped back into the crowd and headed toward the agreed-upon gathering point.

Meanwhile.

At the intersection in front of the City Government building, police, soldiers, and secret agents stood armed and ready, bracing for the approaching students.

“Xiao Bai, what are we even doing here? It’s a curse,” Sun Yanjie grumbled, smoking a cigarette behind a line of police as the shouts grew louder.

“Brother Sun, when did you get so soft? In these chaotic times, you need to be ruthless to survive. As for curses—these students aren’t children. Having been misled, they must face the consequences,” Bai Zeshao sneered dismissively.

“I’m not soft; it’s just this is too much. When those students arrive, we should try to reason with them first,” Sun Yanjie said, flicking his cigarette to the ground with a sigh.

“Yeah, courtesy before force. After all, many of them are children of high-ranking officials,” Bai Zeshao nodded in agreement; Sun’s suggestion aligned with his own thoughts.

“Courtesy before force?!” At that moment, Tian Yaopeng’s voice suddenly came from behind Bai Zeshao.

“Tian Leader, what are you doing here? Didn’t you send out all the men?” Bai Zeshao asked curiously as Tian approached.

“They’re out—and waiting for their prey. The authorities should have made up their minds long ago. If they don’t deal harshly with those Red Party elements, they’ll treat our weapons like firewood, causing chaos on the streets every few days. The government shouldn’t tolerate this,” Tian Yaopeng said grimly.

“By the way, Tian Leader, since you were undercover over there, you must know some details. Who do you think is behind today’s movement?” Bai Zeshao asked with interest.

“Probably Zhou Shan. He’s in charge of the student movement,” Tian Yaopeng answered after a moment’s thought.

“Oh? What does he look like?” Bai feigned curiosity.

“Heh, no rush. The bureau has already started sketching their portraits. Once the wanted posters go up, let’s see how they operate,” Tian Yaopeng said, his gaze drifting toward the approaching crowd. Quietly, he muttered, “They’re coming.”

Bai Zeshao and Sun Yanjie snapped alert and looked ahead.

They saw many students linked arm in arm, stepping forward resolutely, advancing unyieldingly toward their position.

Seeing this, Bai Zeshao’s expression darkened.

“Broadcast a warning—tell them to stop the march. If they insist on breaking through our lines, they’ll face the consequences,” Tian Yaopeng ordered the police in front.

But the students paid no heed to the officers’ warnings. They continued shouting slogans, steadily pressing forward. When all the students gathered together, their momentum was overwhelming.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Suddenly, Tian Yaopeng opened fire. The sharp gunshots drowned out the students’ cries, and silence fell.

Satisfied with the result, Tian spoke into a megaphone: “Students, I know you’ve been misled. If you return the way you came, no action will be taken against you. But if you refuse, what happens next will be beyond my control.”

No sooner had Tian finished than the police cocked their guns, the sound of clicks filling the air.

“We’re holding a lawful march! Why stop us? We demand justice!” the students shouted.

“Justice!” their voices echoed.

But Tian Yaopeng’s words fell on deaf ears. The students, burning with youthful fervor, refused to believe the agents would really shoot. Previously, the police had only pushed them back with batons.

Watching this, Bai Zeshao’s face grew darker by the second. The police at the front line were forced to retreat repeatedly as the students pressed closer.

At that moment, Guo Xiaofei and the others within the crowd also turned pale. On one hand, the students’ reckless passion had made them ignore their warnings. On the other, they spotted the treacherous Tian Yaopeng.

“Don’t be rash! This isn’t the time to take out that traitor. We must first stop the situation from escalating, or something terrible will happen,” Sister Wang urged, quickly pressing down on Guo Xiaofei’s hand as he drew his pistol.

“I understand,” Guo Xiaofei said after taking several deep breaths, reluctantly holstering his weapon, recognizing his own impulsiveness.

“Fire warning shots into the air—intimidate the students!” Bai Zeshao, noticing the murderous gleam in Tian Yaopeng’s eyes, quickly instructed the police and troops ahead.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The rapid gunfire startled everyone, and the students’ advance faltered.

But as soon as they realized the shots were just warnings, their courage returned.

“Comrades, these agents won’t dare shoot us for real! Charge! Break through their blockade!” they shouted.

“Bastards!” Bai Zeshao cursed under his breath, furious.

He wished he could shoot the leading student himself. Despite having passed information to the underground, how could such impulsive students still exist?

But the students, filled with youthful zeal and naïve belief that the authorities would not shoot, once again linked arms and charged toward the barricades with even greater speed.